kawasaki g4 100 1973 any info?

[ProSimex]

Found this online, hopefully gonna have a look at it tomorrow. Always kinda wanted an old small 2-stroke and this fits the bill. Will make a decent learner bike for th wife this summer as well. Does anyone have any input?

http://ottawa.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehicles-motorcycles-dirt-bikes-motocross-for-sale-or-trade-kawasaki-g4-100-1973-W0QQAdIdZ346085692

 

[GroovyAardvark]

I bought one in rough shape a few years ago for a couple of hundred bucks.

I only rode it a few times because it needed new piston rings and I started tearing it down straight away. It has stayed in pieces since due to moving / living / money situation.

Great little bike from what I can tell... It is small... definitely not for the larger gentleman or lady. I am 5'11 140 lbs and it is probably just big enough for me. Rear suspension needs to be improved. It has clips on now, and it is WAY to small for that riding position.

It's 6v, so keep that in mind...not as easy to source 6v parts, and the headlight is pretty dim. Also the battery is tiny, and I have heard that use of indicators and such can drain it pretty quickly.

It has high/low gear selector, and neutral is the lowest gear (not first) which can make it a little tricky in ways, especially for learners.

It is kick start only, so I don't think you're going to be able to fire it up anytime soon from reading the ad.

Any other questions let me know,

Cheers,

 

[ProSimex]

Yeah I figured I would bump start it until I found a kicker that would fit. I weight 220 so clearly I'm heavier then this bike is made for, but I'm not worried about that. Ill have a look see and try to talk him down

 

[GroovyAardvark]

I wouldn't be too worried about it. Replacing the rear shocks is super cheap and easy.

This guy is clearly on the larger side and this sucker still books it.

http://youtu.be/fSyVn_oO27I

 

[pacomotorstuff]

Take a closer look at the kickstarter shaft - in the photo, I can't tell whether or not it's just the lever that's missing or the shaft has been sheared off.
IFF the kickstart mechanism on the '73 is the same as my '71, then it has what is known as a "primary kickstarter". This made it possible to kickstart the bike even if you pulled in the clutch, had the bike in gear, like you stalled it at a light or something- some attempt by Kawasaki to be different back then I guess. To make a long story short, the cases have to be split to change the kickstarter shaft as there is a springloaded pawl and ratchet that sits inside the main gearcase - not a short stub shaft like most other Japanese kickstarter systems.
So look at the shaft before you buy the bike unless you really, really like a lot of work and also check your part sources before buying the bike - I got everything NOS when I restored my bike about 5 years ago but don't know what the parts situation is these days.
Regarding the bike itself, aside from having to be careful on the shifting - it was relatively easy to miss a shift but not as bad as my Hodaka LOL - I found the bike dead reliable and after a careful engine break-in, saw an indicated top end higher than the factory published top speed.
Regards,
Pat Cowan,
Vintage Motorcycle Fiberglass